Events

The Manning Valley plays host to a diverse range of festivals and events throughout the year - from rodeos, markets and powerboats to music and cultural festivals, there is something for everyone.

Two of the most popular events in the Manning Valley take place in October each year and include the Wingham Akoostik Festival and Old Bar Beach Festival.

The three day Akoostik Festival is a feast for music lovers, with an ever-growing array of performers, workshops, quality food and market stalls. This grassroots festival, held from the 16-18 October, has been awarded Community Event of the Year and Regional Flagship status as a key tourism event on the NSW calendar.

Our fabulous events attract thousands of people every year who are able to experience what the Manning Valley has to offer during their stay.

Krambach Markets are held in the old School of Arts Hall in Krambach on the 3rd Sunday of each month. For an authentic country market with a real local flair, this is the place to be. You will find local stall holders selling country crafts, preserves, produce, plants, bric a brac, chocolates, lavender, cakes, woodwork, handmade soap, gingerbread, silk painting and much more.
Arrive early and enjoy delicious country made morning teas.

Old Bar Markets are a popular market held in the village of Old Bar and has a wide variety of unique market stalls. Old Bar Market offers a laid back atmosphere, fresh produce, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, homemade products, home wares and lots more.

Taree Aquatic Powerboat Club Easter circuit race meeting attracts the best and fastest boats from around the country. Boats from all classes (hydroplanes, displacement inboards and outboards) compete for some of the most important Australian and NSW championships as well as the most sought after and prestigious memorial and tribute titles. This event has been held every Easter for over 30 years and this year will be held between March 30 and April 1.

Every year, the town of Taree on the Manning River plays host to the Easter Powerboat Spectacular. The event attracts both local and international drivers with some of the best racing on offer, right on the banks of the picturesque Manning River. Starting on Good Friday the event runs until Easter Monday, with great viewing along the foreshore of Taree from Fotheringham Park to Endeavour Place.

Since 2003, the Wingham Farmers Market has been a great source of fresh local produce. Come along and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, supporting the local community. If it’s grown, baked or made sustainably in the region it’s welcome at Wingham Farmers Market.

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Wingham Beef Week has been running since 1987. Starting with the Junior Field Days on Monday and finishing with the Beef Barons Ball, there are parades and competitions held all week. With the support of their sponsors, local schools and the beef producers of the Manning Valley, they've put together a great program of events to get everyone involved in the festivities.

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Weekend on Wheels is a family friendly event held each year in May. All proceeds go towards the Manning Volunteer rescue squad. Major stands and displays include both NSW Police and Fire Brigade. Children can look forward to a visit by Big Dog. Vintage cars and hot rods will be on display both days, as will a bike display, food stalls, markets, and entertainment for all ages.

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The Manning Valley Historical Society annual Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival.
Clans from all over the country descend on the town of Wingham to enjoy a Scottish Concert. Then, visit the genealogy fair (tutorial and research), poet's breakfast, bus tour, baking competition, nine hole golf tournament, social bowls, Scot's Family Night Out; and on Saturday, the main festival with street parade, opening ceremony, markets and clan stalls, Highland games and massed bands closing ceremony and, in the evening a grand Scottish ball. On Sunday: blessing of the banners, barbecue breakfast, luncheon and concert/Ceilidh.
A Mayoral reception and official opening ceremony also take place during the weekend. Some events require you to purchase a ticket - order your tickets online on the Bonnie Wingham website.

The Wildside Adventure Race is back on the North Coast of NSW. The June Long Weekend is well known as an adventure filled weekend and this one will be no different. Join them at the stunning Great Lakes Manning Valley region to get a heavy dose of adventure.
12 hour, 24 hour and 36 hour race options are on offer and entries are open to teams of two or four, with mixed, all male and all female teams welcome. The exact course is not revealed until the morning of the race, then with much anticipation, teams are provided their maps and allowed to prepare for the start. In teams you will navigate through spaces rarely visited encountering challenges as you traverse by foot, mountain bike and kayak, demanding landscapes in all weather conditions, day and night.
The Wildside Adventure Race is about the journey - discovering that adventure is everywhere. It is about challenging you, taking you to new places and out of your comfort zone. You will become explorers. If you have been searching for that next challenge or for an adventure that will create memories that will last a lifetime then the Wildside Adventure Race is your event.

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Envirofair is a community event that takes place annually in the beautiful river city of Taree, in the Manning Valley and proudly presented by Manning Valley community radio station 2BOB 104.7FM.
The aim of Envirofair is to raise awareness about environmental protection, and the local environment from its natural assets to the people who live and work within it. The event is a fun-filled family day of entertainment featuring: music, dancing and performance artists; fabulous food from 2BOB Radio's famous Global Cafe and local epicureans; innovative market stalls; displays and demonstrations of ecologically-friendly products and ideas for living; and inspirational environmental speakers.
Kids are sorted with a variety of cool activities and workshops for their entertainment, including candle and kite making, circus skills, and face painting, you can even fashion your own instrument from recycled objects with Junk Music, plus heaps more.
The event is sponsored by Greater Taree City Council, Mid Coast Water, JR Richards, MidCoast Waste Services, Sea Acres Rainforest Sanctuary, Greenpatch Organic Seeds, Manning River Times, Taree Hire, Holiday Coast Credit Union and 2BOB Radio volunteers.

This years Tinonee Orchid Nursery Annual Open Day and Show will include it's usual line up of great guest speakers as well as workshops, live potting demonstrations and a lot of flowering plants. Free sausage sizzle will available and light meals and refreshments will be available for purchase.

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed ***
Taree Wingham Race Club's premium racing event is the Taree Cup weekend which is held in August each year. The first day of the Cup weekend on the Friday features an eight race program with full food and beverage facilities, TAB, and bookmakers available in the race club's air conditioned Winning Post Grandstand - a great start to the weekend.
Sunday is Taree Cup Day and sees all the club's facilities open with special race day packages available. Book in the grandstand overlooking the home straight and finishing post to make it a special day at the races, along with many other food and beverage facilities, grandstand seating, plenty of public parking for the big crowd, and buses running to the racecourse from selected locations.
A feature of the day is the Fashions on the Field competition for men and women with valuable prizes to be won on the day.

The Old Bar Beach Festival is an annual community event that attracts over 17,000 people each year.
Held every year, the Kombi/Transporter swap meet Australian record attempt is one of the major highlights of the festival. The number of Kombis that arrive at the festival has steadily increased over the last five years, due to the support of many Kombi owners who have now made the festival an annual pilgrimage.
Whilst the Kombi's are a highlight of this festival, there is much more to do over the two days. There is a huge range of market stalls, food stalls, local wine and produce tasting, live music, fashion parades, and a whole lot more for you to enjoy at this family friendly event.

The Wingham Akoostik Festival is three brilliant days of music showcasing local artists as well as some of Australia's best loved musicians. If you are looking for a relaxed spacious festival experience add this one to your calendar.
Held annually on the third weekend in October, previous festivals have seen performances from Joe Camilleri, Russell Morris, James Reyne, Grace Knight, Wendy Matthews, Richard Clapton and Rick Price, just to name a few.
Included over the three day event are workshops, a smokin' Barbecue challenge, art installations and produce stalls catering for all ages and interests.
Camping is available for the entire weekend on the festival site at the Wingham Showground. You will need to book your site early as camp sites sell quickly.
Ticket prices: Various depending on one day or three day pass, pre sale tickets offer savings over gate prices.
For tickets and a full list of performing artists please refer to the Akoostik Festival website.

Introduced in 2014 to showcase the work achieved by the Tidy up Taree volunteers and the creation of Taree's first Civic Heart, this great family friendly celebration is now a major yearly event in Taree.
The Taree Night Bazaar has it all - great live entertainment, art displays and artwork available for purchase, over 40 stalls selling an array of goods, many shops open during the event and offer significant discounts and a huge range of food is available for purchase during the event.
The road closure between Manning and Pulteney Street gives this a true Street Festival Vibe, so bring the entire family as this is one event not to be missed!

Hosted by the Harrington Park Anglican Church, come along and enjoy a night of entertainment and sing along to all of your favourite Christmas Carols. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. The night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
Cost: Free with food and drinks available for purchase.

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed ***
Join in the fun this New Year's Eve at Taree's favourite family event. Fireworks on the Foreshore runs the length of the stunning Manning River foreshore, from the Martin Bridge to the Sailing Club.
Entry is free, and there will be live music and entertainment; novelties and activities for the kids and kids-at-heart; a festive, picnic atmosphere. The event culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the water at 9pm.
This is a family-friendly and alcohol-free event.

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Prepare for some adrenalin pumping events at Wingham Showground when the Wingham Summertime Rodeo comes to town.
The Rodeo attracts thousands of visitors who witness amazing action in the arena. There will be food and a licensed bar area (proof of age is required), amusement rides, stalls and a live band till late. Bar licensed to 11pm.
Don't forget that no alcohol or glass bottles are to be brought onto the grounds. No gazebos or tarps are to be erected on the Rodeo bank.
Gates open at 12 noon for Slack Round and Main Event starts at 6pm, so don't miss out - gates will close when the arena area is full.
Bring your family and friends to the Rodeo Arena, Wingham Showground, and enjoy wild fun for all the family.

Taree Lions Club will again be coordinating this very successful and engaging community event. TasteFest on the Manning brings this community and producers event to Manning Valley for the people of the Mid Coast region and its visitors. Please join them as they take your taste-buds and other senses on a wild ride at TasteFest, on the beautiful foreshore park of the Manning River. There will be lots of shade whilst enjoying the coastal breeze.
TasteFest will showcase the best the Manning Valley and beyond has to offer and will include craft beer, food, wine, entertainment and music, as well as activities on the river.
TasteFest on the Manning is conducted by Taree Lions club as a charity that benefits the community and celebrates life in the Manning Valley. They look forward in having you join in the fun, fine food and festive spirit.
Sample TasteFest from 10am through to 9pm in Queen Elizabeth Park in the central business district of Taree.
Visit the TasteFest on the Manning Facebook page and register your interest in coming.

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The Comboyne Show not only offers a unique program of Mountain Goat Racing but all the features of a traditional Australian Agricultural Show.
Among the pavilion exhibits visitors will see a high standard of entries in art, craft, photography, cooking, produce, flowers, and the Poultry Show. See the Comboyne Championship Dog Show on the western side of the showground.
A full program of entertainment for all ages includes great fun rides for the kids, face painting and performances.
Relax in the shady marquees. Browse the market stalls and enjoy Comboyne's famous country cooking with tearoom cakes, salads rolls, devonshire teas, the big Country Barbecue - plus pancakes, great coffee, and ice cream.
What more could you want?